Cantilever support for slide-out room

ABSTRACT

The present invention involves a cantilever support assembly for supporting an extension unit to a structure that has an exterior wall and a main floor. The extension unit has a retracted position for travel and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure. The extension unit also has an extension wall of which at least a portion is substantially parallel with the exterior wall of the structure. The extension unit further has a roof portion and a floor portion that extend between the exterior wall and the extension wall when the extension unit is in the deployed position. In addition, the extension unit includes a track mounted to and extending along at least a portion of the extension unit and at least one cantilever support member, which has a first end pivotally connected to the structure and a second end movably engaged with the track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to slide-out rooms or movableextension units for creating additional interior living space within astructure. More particularly, the invention relates to supportassemblies for supporting the movable extension units of the structure.

2. Background Art

Physical dimensional restrictions limit the amount of interior spacewithin many structures providing living space. For example, recreationalvehicles, manufactured housing, and specialty trailer structures arerestricted in their width dimension because of space restrictions uponthe highways upon which those structures are transported. However, oncethe recreational vehicle, manufactured housing, or specialty trailercomponent has completed its transport, either temporarily orpermanently, the structure no longer has a width restriction. In fact,the occupants of those structures would prefer to have a greater amountof interior living space.

To accommodate the desire for additional interior space, severaldifferent configurations have been employed. One example involvescreating a pop-out compartment formed by the extension of side wallsfrom the recreational vehicle. In the side walls' retracted position,the side walls form interior partitions within the vehicle. Theseinterior partitions limit the amount of interior space within thevehicle when the compartment is retracted.

Another example involves a tent camper with a lateral slide-out room.The tent camper includes a camper main body that is pulled in alongitudinal direction by a towing vehicle. A roof, aligned above thecamper main body, is movable between a lowered, storage or transportposition and a raised, camping or deployed position. The lateralslide-out room, coupled to the camper body, is movable in a lateraldirection between a retraced, storage position and an extended,operational position. This allows the lateral slide-out to extend andprovide additional living space within the camper. The interior space ofthe camper is not habitable in the retracted, transport position, theoverlap or interior partition of the slide-out walls within the camperis not an issue.

A further example involves a mobile accommodation structure, such as acaravan or motor home, with a foldable extension for enlarging thevolume of the vehicle. A wall panel is attached to guide rails on theside of the vehicle for pivotal and sliding movement over the vehicleside wall. Another wall panel is only pivotally connected to the sidewall, while the middle wall panel is pivotally connected to both otherwall panels. The roof of the accommodation structure is hinged on thevehicle roof edge to be able to move from a position overlying thevehicle roof to a position covering the trapezoidal recess formed by theside walls when deployed. The floor is hinged on the floor edge so thatit is capable of moving from a position parallel to the vehicle sidewall to a position co-planar with the vehicle floor.

Each of these prior structures includes drawbacks in terms of the useand support of the extension unit. In many recreational vehicles, thecreation of interior partitions in the retracted position diminishes theutility of the extension, as often such interior partitions interferewith the amount of the space within the vehicle during transport, eitheras living or storage space. Also, because the extension units must beadequately supported to be structurally sound and prevent binding duringdeployment and retraction, the deployment mechanisms of many extensionunits are expensive and complicated. In addition, the complex mechanismsfor deploying the extension units often require adding even moreexpensive actuation devices and controls to provide movement of theextension units between the deployed and retracted positions.

What is needed in the art is an economical support for an extension unitso as to provide the desired additional interior space without creatinginterior partitions and yet provide adequate support for the extensionunit and the simplistic ease of moving into the extended position andback to the retracted position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a support for an extension unit of astructure, with the extension unit having a track and a cantileversupport pivotally connected to the structure and moveably engaging thetrack.

In one embodiment, the invention includes an extension unit for astructure that has an exterior wall and a main floor. The extension unithas a retracted position for travel and a deployed position forproviding additional interior space for the structure. The extensionunit also has an extension wall of which at least a portion issubstantially parallel with the exterior wall of the structure. Theextension unit further has a roof portion and a floor portion thatextend between the exterior wall and the extension wall when theextension unit is in the deployed position. In addition, the extensionunit includes a track mounted to and extending along at least a portionof the extension unit and at least one cantilever support member, whichhas a first end pivotally connected to the structure and a second endmovably engaged with the track.

The extension unit may include two cantilever support members with thefirst ends being connected adjacent the lower end of the extension unit.In addition, the extension unit may include a mounting bracket attachedto the structure with the first end of the support member pivotallyconnected to the mounting bracket. The support member may move relativeto the vertical when pivoting in relation to the mounting bracket as theextension unit is moved from the retracted position to the deployedposition in order to lower the floor portion to be flush with the mainfloor.

The extension unit may further include a rail block pivotally connectedto the second end of the support arm that traverses at least a portionof the track. The rail block may include a follower wheel that rollsalong the track. The rail block is located in a central portion of theextension unit when the extension unit is in the retracted position. Asthe extension unit is moved to the deployed position, the rail blockmoves outwardly along the track. The track may be sloped so as to belower in the central portion and sloping upwardly to the outer endsthereof. The floor portion may be lowered relative to the main floor asthe rail block moves up the slope of the track and the extension unitmoves to the deployed position.

In one embodiment, when the extension unit is in the retracted position,the support member extends parallel to the exterior wall, and when theextension unit is in the deployed position, the support member is at anangle to the exterior wall. The track may be mounted to the floorportion of the extension unit and parallel to the extension wall.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an embodiment of a supportassembly for supporting an extension unit of a structure. The extensionunit has a retracted position for travel, and a deployed position forproviding additional interior space for the structure. The supportassembly includes a track mounted to and extending along at least aportion of the extension unit and at least one cantilever supportmember. Each support member has a first end pivotally connected to thestructure and a second end movably engaged with the track.

The support assembly may include two cantilever support members, whereinthe first ends are connected adjacent to and at a lower end of theextension unit.

The support assembly may also include a rail block that is pivotallyconnected to the second end of the support member. The rail blocktraverses at least a portion of the track. The support assembly mayfurther include a follower wheel mounted to the rail block. The followerwheel rotates relative to the rail block and rolls in the track. Therail block is located in the central portion of the extension unit whenthe extension unit is in the retracted position, and as the extensionunit is moved to the deployed position, the rail block moves outwardlyalong the track. The track may be sloped so that it is lower in thecentral portion and slopes upwardly to outer ends.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an embodiment of a supportassembly for supporting an extension unit of a structure, wherein theextension unit has a retracted position for travel, and a deployedposition for providing additional interior space for the structure. Thesupport assembly includes a support arm and a swing arm. The swing armhas first and second ends, such that the first end is pivotallyconnected to the support arm and the second end is adapted forengagement with a support surface. The swing arm extends substantiallyparallel with the support arm when the extension unit is in theretracted position; and is pivoted about the pivot connection when theextension unit is in the deployed position so as to be at an anglerelative to the support arm.

The support arm may have a slot, and the assembly may include a bracehaving a fixed pivot connection to the swing arm and a sliding pivotconnection to the slot in the support arm. The swing arm may alsoinclude locking recesses, and the support arm may include lockingmembers for securing the swing arm substantially parallel with thesupport arm when the extension unit is in the retracted position.

A further aspect of the invention involves how the extension unit isconnected to the structure. The frame of the extension unit has aninterior and an exterior section, which clamp the extension unit to thewalls of the structure. This embodiment of the extension unit has anextension wall, a roof, floor, and frame. The roof is adapted to extendbetween the exterior wall and the extension wall when said extensionunit is in the deployed position. The floor is adapted to extend betweenthe extension wall and the exterior wall when the extension unit is inthe deployed position. The frame supports the extension wall, roof, andfloor, having an interior portion and an exterior portion. The interiorand exterior portions are adapted to clamp over the exterior wall of thestructure to secure the extension unit to the exterior wall of thestructure.

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive orlimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the followingdetailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen to describe sothat others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. The presentinvention provides a cantilever support assembly for supporting movableextension units of a recreational vehicle. Further, while thedescription below is specifically identified with recreational vehiclesin general, many other structures could utilize the arrangement andconfiguration of the present invention. For example, manufacturedhousing components are transported over the highways, and have similarwidth restrictions as recreational vehicles. The occupants ofmanufactured houses have the same desire for additional interior spaceas the occupants of recreational vehicles, and the cantilever support ofthe subject invention may be used to support bay windows or otherextension units of a manufactured house. Also, recreational vehiclesthemselves have many varieties, such as motor homes, fifth wheels, tentcampers, trailers, etc., which can utilize the present invention. Otherstructures, such as mobile homes, boats, train compartments, may findthe structure of the present invention beneficial. Thus, while thestructure of a recreational vehicle is explicitly shown and described indetail below, many other structures can utilize the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned and other features and objects of this invention, andthe manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the inventionitself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of several embodiments of the invention taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recreational vehicle having anextension unit shown in the retracted position and a cantileveredsupport of the present invention for supporting the extension unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recreational vehicle of FIG. 1 withthe extension unit in the deployed position.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the extension unit in theretracted position and additional details of the cantilevered support.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view with the extension unit in thedeployed position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cantilevered support removed fromthe recreational vehicle showing the position of the cantileveredsupport while the extension unit is in the retracted position in solidlines and showing the position of the cantilevered support while theextension unit is in the deployed position in phantom lines.

FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the swivel block of the presentinvention showing the block as is positioned while the extension unit isin the deployed position in solid lines and showing the position thatthe swivel block is in while the extension unit is in the deployedposition in phantom lines.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the cantilever support assembly and trackshown with the extension unit in the retracted position.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing the swivel block removed from thetrack.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including a sloped track to allow the extension unit to belowered so that the extension unit floor is level with the main floorwhen the unit is in the deployed position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 taken asshown in view lines 10-10 of FIG. 4 with the floor lowered.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 taken asshown in view lines 11-11 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a close up of another embodiment showing a pivotal mount ofthe support to the mounting bracket that allows the extension unit floorto be lowered as the extension unit is deployed.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternate support for the extension unithaving a swinging support.

FIG. 14 is another embodiment of an alternate support for the extensionunit with a swinging support.

FIG. 15 is an interior perspective view of an alternate embodimentextension unit in retracted position.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken through section line 16-16 inFIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is an interior perspective view of the embodiment of theextension unit depicted in FIG. 15 in the extended position.

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view taken through section line 18-18 inFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exterior perspective view of the extension unit depictedin FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the extension unit of FIG. 19 with theextension walls removed.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the extension unit frame including amotor on load support beams.

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of the frame clamping the wall.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a cantilever beam utilized in theembodiment of the extension unit depicted in FIG. 17.

FIG. 24 is an interior perspective of an alternate embodiment extensionunit with folding fan floor in the retracted position.

FIG. 25 is a close up perspective view of the folder fan style floor.

FIG. 26 is a cross section view of taken along lines 26-26 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an interior perspective view of the extension unit depictedin FIG. 25 in the partially extended position.

FIG. 28 is a close up perspective view of the folder fan style floor inthe partially extended position.

FIG. 29 is a cross section view taken along lines 29-29 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is an interior perspective view of the extension unit depictedin FIG. 24 in the fully extended position.

FIG. 31 is a close up perspective view of the folder fan style floor inthe extended position.

FIG. 32 is a cross section view taken along lines 32-32 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a side cross section of an embodiment of the extension unitwith telescoping roof and folder fan style floor in the retractedposition.

FIG. 34 is a cross section view taken along lines 34-34 of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a cross section view taken along lines 35-35 of FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is a side view of the embodiment of the extension unit depictedin FIG. 33 in the extended position.

FIG. 37 is a cross section view taken along lines 35-35 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a cross section view taken along lines 36-36 of FIG. 36.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Although the drawings representembodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarilyto scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to betterillustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification setout herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, andsuch exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the detaileddescription. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so thatothers skilled in the art might utilize their teachings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cantilever support assembly generally indicated as10 mounted on a recreational vehicle generally indicated as 12 forsupporting an extension unit generally indicated as 14. Recreationalvehicle 12 includes exterior wall 16, main floor 18 under the majorportion of recreational vehicle 12, and roof 19. Frame 60 clamps toexterior wall 16 to secure extension unit 14 in recreational vehicle 12as described in greater detail below. The present invention may beutilized with an extension unit having floating corners as detailed incommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,701 to Dennis Vance, which isincorporated herein by reference. Such an extension unit is shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 in conjunction with cantilever support assembly 10 of thepresent invention. Cantilever support assembly 10 may also be used withrectangular slide-out units, which are well known.

Extension unit 14 includes central wall panel 20 and two side wallpanels 22 and 24, which are pivotally connected to central wall panel20. Extension unit 14 also includes roof portion 26 and floor portion 28(FIGS. 3, 10, and 11). Extension unit 14 is movable between a retractedposition, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, which reduces the width ofrecreational vehicle 12 during traveling or storage, and an extended ordeployed position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 that increases the interiorliving space of recreational vehicle 12.

In the retracted position, wall panels 20, 22, and 24 of extension unit14 lie substantially juxtaposed and parallel with exterior wall 16 ofrecreational vehicle 12, and roof portion 26 and floor portion 28 arecontained within recreational vehicle 12 below roof 19 and above mainfloor 18, respectively. In the deployed position, central wall panel 20is extended away from, but still substantially parallel with, exteriorwall 16, while side wall panels 22 and 24 are at an angle to and biasedagainst exterior wall 16, as more fully described in the '701 Patent toVance.

Cantilever support assembly 10 is designed to provide additional supportand structural rigidity to extension unit 14, when it is in the deployedposition and to retract with the extension unit in the retractedposition. As such, the support assembly does not increase the overallwidth of recreational vehicle 12, whether extension unit 14 is in thedeployed or retracted position. In one embodiment of the invention,cantilever support assembly 10 includes a pair of support membersgenerally indicated as 30 a, 30 b, a pair of mounting brackets 32 a, 32b, and track 34 (FIG. 7).

Support members 30 a, 30 b each respectively include support arm 40 a,40 b, rail block 42 a, 42 b, and follower wheel 44 a, 44 b. In the formof the invention shown, each support arm 40 a, 40 b is a generallyrectangular, elongated structural member having first end 45 a, 45 b,and second end 46 a, 46 b, respectively; however, any suitablestructural member may be employed. Rail blocks 42 a, 42 b are pivotallyattached to first ends 45 a, 45 b of respective support arms 40 a, 40 b,using pivot pin 48 as shown in FIG. 8 or by other known pivotalconnection mechanisms.

Rail blocks 42 a, 42 b have a rectangular configuration in theembodiment shown and include opening 50 and upper surface 52 thatsurrounds opening 50. Opening 50 is configured to receive a portion offollower wheels 44 a, 44 b, which are mounted to respective rail blocks42 a, 42 b using axle 54 or other known mechanisms that allow wheels 44to rotate within opening 50. A portion of follower wheels 44 a, 44 bprotrude from opening 50 and beyond upper surface 52 of rail blocks 42a, 42 b.

In the embodiment shown, second ends of each support arm 40 areconnected to corresponding hinged connections 56, or other mechanism forproviding pivotal movement. Hinged connection 56 is disposed on frame60, facing the exterior of recreational vehicle 12. In this embodiment,side panels 22 and 24 are pivotally connected to frame 60, andcantilever supports extend underneath floor 28 to provide support in theextended position. Support arms 40 maintain engagement floor 28 usingtrack 34 and rail blocks 42.

In the form shown, track 34 includes cross member 70 and a pair offlanges 72, 74 that are spaced apart and extend generally perpendicularfrom cross member 70. Cross member 70 and flanges 72, 74 together definechannel 76 (FIG. 8). Channel 76 is sized for receipt of rail blocks 42a, 42 b. In the form shown, track 34 is mounted to the floor portion 28of extension unit 14 using bolts and nuts (not shown) or other knownfastening mechanisms. Track 34 may also be mounted to other structuralor frame members on extension unit 14.

To assemble cantilever support assembly 10, mounting brackets 32 a, 32 bare mounted to main floor 18 or other structural members at a locationto the sides of respective side panels 22 and 24 as shown in FIG. 3.Support arms 40 a, 40 b are mounted to respective mounting brackets 32a, 32 b so that they extend in a generally horizontal direction towardand below wall panel 20. Rail blocks 42 a, 42 b mounted on first ends 45a, 45 b of support arms 40 are positioned in track 34 so that wheels 44a, 44 b are in contact with cross member 70 and in channel 76 betweenflanges 72 and 74.

In operation, cantilever support assembly 10 is designed to provideadditional support and rigidity for extension unit 14 when it isextended to the deployed position. In the retracted position, supportarms 40 a, 40 b lie generally parallel to exterior wall 16, and railblocks 42 a, 42 b will be located in track 34 toward the center ofcentral wall panel 20 as best shown in FIG. 3. As extension unit 14 isextended to the deployed position as shown in FIG. 4, second ends 46 a,46 b of respective support arms 40 a, 40 b will pivot on hingedconnections 56 a, 56 b, respectively, so that support arms 40 are at anangle to exterior wall 16 of recreational vehicle 12. As support arms 40are pivoting about hinged connections 56, wheels 44 a, 44 b roll on thecross member 70 of track 34 so that rail blocks 42 a, 42 b move towardthe sides of central wall panel 20 whereby support members providecantilever support to the outer corners of extension unit 14 as shown inFIG. 4.

In the retracted position, rail blocks 42 are substantially aligned withsupport arms 40 a, 40 b. However, as extension unit 14 is deployed andrail blocks 42 move outwardly along track 34, they will also pivotrelative to support arm 40 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 about pivot pin 48.This prevents rail block 42 from binding in track 34.

When it is desired to retract the extension unit, the operation of thecantilever support members is reversed and return to the position shownin FIG. 3. The above disclosed support assembly will function with theextension unit being either manually or mechanically deployed andretracted.

Now referring to FIGS. 9-12, cantilever support members 30 a, 30 b areshown positioned in alternate embodiment track 134. Track 134 has anangled or sloped surface 175 that wheels 44 a, 44 b rotate against andride along as compared to the flat cross member 70 of track 34. Track134 is sloped so that the lowest part is located toward the center ofcentral panel 20 as shown in FIG. 10. From there, track 134 slopesupward toward the side ends of central panel 20. The purpose of track134 being sloped is to allow floor portion 28 of extension unit 14 todrop substantially flush with main floor portion 18 of recreationalvehicle 12 in the deployed position.

When extension unit 14 is in the retracted position, floor portion 28 issupported above main floor 18 as the lower central portion of slopedsurface 175 of track 134 is supported upon rail blocks 42 a, 42 b. Asextension unit 14 is moved to the deployed position, floor portion 28lowers to the position shown in FIG. 11 as rail blocks 42 ride up thesloped surface 175 toward the outer edges of track 134. As extensionunit 14 is retracted, wheels 44 follow the slope back towards thecentral portion of track 134 so that floor portion 28 is pushed abovemain floor 18.

FIG. 12 shows alternate embodiment hinged connection 156 a, 156 b. Inthis embodiment, hinged connection 156 incorporates worm gear 157 andworm gear bearing 158 attached to second end 46 a, 46 b of support arms40. Worm gear hinged connection 156 may be used as an alternatemechanism of allowing floor portion 28 to be lowered as extension unit14 is moved to the deployed position. As should become evident, as arms40 a, 40 b are rotated about hinged connection 156 a, 156 b, worm gearbearing 158 follows worm gear 157 resulting in a vertical displacementof support arm 40 as it pivots about hinged connection 156. Alternatehinged connections 156 a, 156 b may also be used in conjunction withsloped track 134 to achieve the desired vertical displacement of floorportion 28 as extension unit 14 is moved to the deployed position.

FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment support assembly at 210. Supportassembly 210 includes mounting end 232, support arm 240 and swing arm241. Swing arm 241 includes locking recesses 243, first end 245 andsecond end 246. Foot pad 247 is attached to second end 246 of swing arm241 with pivot connection 248. First end 245 of swing arm 241 isconnected to support arm 240 with pivot connection 249. Support arm 240also has locking members 251 for receipt of locking recesses 243.Support assembly 210 may be rotatingly mounted to extension unit 14 withmounting end 232.

When extension unit 14 is in the retracted position, swing arm 241 issubstantially parallel with support arm 240 with locking recesses 243lockingly receiving unlocking members 251. When the extension isdeployed, swing arm 241 is pivoted about pivot connection 249 so thatfoot pad 247 is contacted with the ground or other supporting surface.Foot pad 247 may rotate about pivot connection 248 to meet the contourof the ground or support surface.

Another support assembly 310 is shown in FIG. 14. Support assembly 310is similar to support assembly 210 except that it includes brace 355extending between support arm 340 and swing arm 341. Brace 355 isconnected to swing arm 341 with fixed pivot connection 357 and isconnected to support arm 340 with sliding pivot connection 358. Brace355 provides additional rigidity and support for support assembly 310.When extension unit 14 is in the retracted position, sliding pivot 358will be located in slot 359 to the right side of support arm 340. Asextension unit 14 is deployed, sliding pivot 358 slides to the left tothe position shown in FIG. 14 as swing arm 341 moves to the supportposition.

FIGS. 15-19 show an embodiment of the invention using a three piecefloor unit 28. Side panels 80 and 82 are attached to side panels 22 and24, respectively, to border a solid floor formed by unit 28 for theareas of extension unit 14 which extend beyond vehicle 12. FIG. 16 showsthe retracted position, wherein support arms 40A and 40B extend toengage track 90 of roof 26 to provide support for roof 26 in thisretracted position. When in the extended position, see FIG. 17, floorunit 28 has bottom panels 80 and 82 generally aligned with the interiorof the recreational vehicle. Although not shown in the illustratedviews, floor unit 28 has portions adapted to provide the support for thesolid floor for extension unit 14. Support arms 40A and 40B maintainengagement with track 90 of roof 26, however in the extended positiontrack 90 is approximately parallel to wall 16 of recreational vehicle12, consequently roof 26 is primarily supported by wall 20. In thesefigures, roof 26 is shown in breakaway, where in practice a panel and/orshingles (not shown), as appropriate, are positioned on the upper sideof roof 26.

The assembly of extension unit 14 on recreational vehicle 12 is moreparticularly shown in FIGS. 20-22. FIG. 20 shows frame unit 60 having anexterior portion 60B, which pivotally holds support arms 40C and 40D onthe lower side. Frame 60 also has interior section 60A which provides apivotal support 62 for support arms 40 that secure roof 26. In addition,FIG. 21 shows frame 60A as having an additional track 65 which may beconnected to a motor for driving the extension and retraction of floor28. FIG. 22 shows the interconnection of interior portion 60B andexterior portion 60A which clamps to wall 16. Frame 60 further includeswall pivot 61, which may be formed with either exterior portion 60A,exterior portion 60B, or as a third separate portion. Bolt 63 or otherconnector (not shown) may then connect together the correspondingportions of frame 60, securing the clamping of frame 60 over wall 16.This allows the unit to be initially assembled in two components, namelyportions 60A and 60B, at a location separate from the manufacturinglocation of recreational vehicle 12. The two portions 60A and 60B may beadvantageously shipped together with a relatively thin profile(particularly thin with the telescopically configured floor and roofdisclosed in FIGS. 33-38 described below), separated when arriving atthe location where the structure is assembled, portion 60A positioned inthe interior of the structure and portion 60B positioned on the exteriorof the structure, then connecting together portions 60A and 60B to clampextension unit 14 to wall 16. The clamping of frame 60 helps todistribute the load of extenstion unit 14 and anchor support arms 40.

An alternative embodiment of support arm is provided in FIG. 23. Supportarm 40′ pivots about hinge number 56′, and has a roller 42′ to engageanother member. For example, FIG. 24 shows such a support arm providingsupport to extension unit 14′. In this embodiment, floor 28′ has agenerally trapezoidal configuration to provide the entire floor whenextension unit 14′ is fully extended. To prevent gaps from appearingbetween side walls 22 and 24 as the unit is extended, a plurality ofside leaves 80′ and 82′ are configured to extend in an accordion likefashion to fill the space between floor panel 28′ and side walls 22 and24. This arrangement is shown more particularly in FIG. 25, where roller42′ engages Track 76′ of floor panel 28′. FIGS. 26-32 generally show theprogression to the extended position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 33-38 depict anembodiment having telescopically formed roof 26′, as well astelescopically formed floor 28″ and telescopically formed side panel80″. As extension 14″ is pulled out, a central portion 28″ may movelaterally on the interior floor until fully extended, and through pinand channel connection 83 lower floor 28″ into recess 81 to provide acenter portion of the entire floor of extension unit 14″, with sidepanels 80″ filling in the side portions of the trapezoidal room formedby the extension of central portion 28″. Alternatively, center portion28′″ may comprise a plurality of trapezoidally shaped floor panels withcantilever supports (not shown).

Similarly, a plurality of roof panels 26′ may be extended withcantilevered supports as shown FIGS. 36 and 37, to provide an exteriorroof surface protecting the interior of extension unit 14″.

While the invention has been taught with specific reference to the aboveembodiments, someone skilled in the art will recognize that changes canbe made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. The described embodiments, therefore, are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Assuch, the scope of the invention is indicated by the following claimsrather than by the description.

1. An extension unit for a structure, the structure having an exteriorwall and a main floor, and the extension having a retracted position fortravel and a deployed position for providing additional interior spacefor the structure, the extension unit comprising; an extension wall; aroof portion adapted to extend between the exterior wall and saidextension wall when said extension unit is in the deployed position; afloor portion adapted to extend between said extension wall and theexterior wall when the extension unit is in the deployed position; and atrack mounted to and extending along at least a portion of saidextension wall; and at least one cantilever support member, each supportmember having a pivotal first end adapted to be associated with thestructure and a second end moveably engaged with said track.
 2. Theextension unit of claim 1, including two cantilever support members,each said first end being connected adjacent a lower end of theextension unit.
 3. The extension unit of claim 1, further including amounting bracket, the first end of the support member pivotallyconnected to said mounting bracket.
 4. The extension unit of claim 3,wherein said support member is vertically displaced when pivoting inrelation to said mounting bracket as the extension unit is moved fromthe retracted position to the deployed position.
 5. The extension unitof claim 1, further comprising a rail block pivotally connected to saidsecond end of said support member and capable of traversing a least aportion of said track.
 6. The extension unit of claim 5, furtherincluding a follower wheel mounted to said rail block and adapted forrelative rotation, the follower wheel positioned to roll in the track.7. The extension unit of claim 6, wherein said rail block is located ina central portion of the extension unit when the extension unit is inthe retracted position, and as the extension unit is moved to thedeployed position, said rail block correspondingly moves outwardly alongsaid track.
 8. The extension unit of claim 7, wherein said track has asloped surface.
 9. The extension unit of claim 8, wherein said tracksurface is lower in a central portion and slopes upwardly at ends ofsaid track surface.
 10. The extension unit of claim 9, wherein saidfloor portion is configured to be lowered relative to said main floorwhen said rail block moves up said sloped surface of said track as theextension unit is moved to the deployed position.
 11. The extension unitof claim 1, wherein said support member extends substantially parallelto the exterior wall when said extension unit is in the retractedposition, and said support member is at an angle to the exterior wallwhen said extension unit is in the deployed position.
 12. The extensionunit of claim 1, wherein said track is located substantially parallel tosaid exterior wail.
 13. The extension unit of claim 12, wherein saidtrack is mounted to said floor portion.
 14. The extension unit of claim1 wherein said roof partition includes a plurality of telescopicallyarranged panels.
 15. The extension unit of claim 1 wherein said floorportion includes a plurality of telescopically arranged panels.
 16. Asupport assembly for supporting an extension unit of a structure, theextension unit having a retracted position for travel and a deployedposition for providing additional interior space for the structure, thesupport assembly comprising: a track adapted to be mounted to and extendalong at least a portion of the extension unit; and at least onecantilever support member, each support member having a first endpivotally adapted to be connected to the structure and a second endmovably engaged with said track.
 17. The support assembly of claim 16,including two cantilever support members, each said first end beingconnected adjacent a lower end of the extension unit.
 18. The supportassembly of claim 16, further including a rail block pivotally connectedto said second end of said support member, said rail block traversing atleast a portion of said track.
 19. The support assembly of claim 18,further including a follower wheel mounted to the rail block and adaptedfor relative rotation, said follower wheel positioned to roll in saidtrack such that said rail block is located in a central portion of theextension unit when the extension unit is in the retracted position, andas the extension unit is moved to the deployed position, said rail blockcorrespondingly moves outwardly along said track.
 20. The supportassembly of claim 16, wherein said track has a sloped surface with alower central portion which slopes upwardly to ends of said slopedsurface.
 21. A support assembly for supporting an extension unit of astructure on a support surface, the extension unit having a retractedposition for travel and a deployed position for providing additionalinterior space for the structure, the support assembly comprising: asupport arm; and a swing arm having first and second ends, said firstend having a pivot connection with said support arm, said second endbeing adapted for engagement with the support surface, and said swingarm extending substantially parallel with said support arm when theextension unit is in the retracted position and pivoted about said pivotconnection when the extension unit is in the deployed position so as tobe at an angle relative to said support arm.
 22. The support assembly ofclaim 21, further including a slot in said support arm and a bracehaving a fixed pivot connection to said swing arm and a sliding pivotconnection to said slot in said support arm.
 23. The support assembly ofclaim 22, wherein said swing arm includes locking recesses and saidsupport arm includes locking members for securing said swing armsubstantially parallel with said support arm when the extension unit isin the retracted position.
 24. An extension unit for a structure, thestructure having an exterior wall and a main floor, and the extensionhaving a retracted position for travel and a deployed position forproviding additional interior space for the structure, the extensionunit comprising; an extension wall; a roof portion adapted to extendbetween the exterior wall and said extension wall when said extensionunit is in the deployed position; a floor portion adapted to extendbetween said extension wall and the exterior wall when the extensionunit is in the deployed position; and a frame supporting said extensionwall, said roof portion, and said floor portion, said frame having aninterior portion and an exterior portion, said interior portion and saidexterior portion adapted to clamp over the exterior wall of thestructure to secure said extension unit to the exterior wall of thestructure.
 25. The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising atleast one support arm, said at least one support arm being pivotallyconnected to said exterior portion of said frame and adapted to supportone of said floor portion and said roof portion when said extension unitis in the deployed position.
 26. The extension unit of claim 24 furthercomprising at least one support arm, said at least one support arm beingpivotally connected to said interior portion of said frame and adaptedto support one of said floor portion and said roof portion when saidextension unit is in the deployed position.
 27. The extension unit ofclaim 24 wherein said interior portion includes a track for moveablysupporting said floor portion when it traverses from the travel positionto the deployed position.
 28. The extension unit of claim 24 whereinsaid frame includes a wall pivot connected to said extension wall. 29.The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising a support arm with afirst end pivotally attached to said frame, a track associated with saidextension wall, and a rail block pivotally connected to a second end ofsaid support arm and capable of traversing a least a portion of saidtrack when said support arm is pivoted.
 30. The extension unit of claim24 further comprising a support arm with a first end pivotally attachedto said frame, a track associated with said floor portion, and a railblock pivotally connected to a second end of said support arm andcapable of traversing a least a portion of said track when said supportarm is pivoted.
 31. The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising asupport arm with a first end pivotally attached to said frame, a trackassociated with said roof portion, and a rail block pivotally connectedto a second end of said support arm and capable of traversing a least aportion of said track when said support arm is pivoted.
 32. Theextension unit of claim 24 wherein said roof partition includes aplurality of telescopically arranged panels.
 33. The extension unit ofclaim 24 wherein said floor portion includes a plurality oftelescopically arranged panels.